#WhereJesusSlept: Keeping Christ in Christmas
The Spirit of Christmas
In a time where the true meaning of Christmas can be lost or misplaced, especially for young children, it is important for my family to remember why it is we have this holiday and what we are really celebrating.
Each Christmas Eve night they open one gift: it contains a new pair of pajamas, a mug for homemade hot coco and a new book. This year my children are going to receive books themed for the true meaning of Christmas (as last year they each received Santa books) and I am anxious to read them to my children as we wait to celebrate the following morning!
Where Jesus Slept
“Where Jesus Slept” is a beautifully illustrated book worded for young children, to tell the story of the birth of Jesus. The story is told in a catchy rhyming scheme that invites our babies to discover where Jesus slept on Christmas, and how so many came to adore him.
The illustrations are wonderfully done to draw in the attention from all ages. Like so many popular children stories the rhyming scheme in this book it one that is destined to become a favorite; because it is so catchy!
The rhythm also allows children to generate a strong willingness to memorize the story and eventually they will learn how to read it on their own if they are not yet reading to themselves!
Our Children Need Christ in Christmas!
The Christmas holiday has dramatically changed in what is expected and appreciated out of this time of year. Where it was once solely about praising God for the birth of the savior, but about bringing a family together and sharing this magical time with our loved ones!
Lately Christmas has become commercialized, bargain shopping and big gift buying has replaced priorities in some families. Children’s “wish lists” have gone from that heartwarming “I want to see granny!” to “I want that toy that everyone else has!”
Children need Christ in Christmas because it brings them to understand the gift of love! Quoting from How the Grinch Stole Christmas… “Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more!”
Keep Christ in Christmas
Look for ways to keep Christ in Christmas for your family! Here are a some ideas from Unlocking the Bible and our home:
1) Read the Bible story with your family
2) Use and advent calendar with scripture
3) Listen to Christ-exalting Christmas music for the holidays
4) Tons and tons of Christmas storybooks!
5) Have a Gifts for Jesus box! We put strips of paper with things we’ve done for Jesus throughout the season, such as volunteering, helping others, or donating to charity.
The above mentioned site contains great way to making this Christmas more about Christ and less about that gift those precious babies want so much!
**Please note: I did receive this product for free in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are from My Crafty Zoo and are not influenced by sponsors.**
About the book:
“This is the bed where Jesus slept. This is the straw that lined the bed where Jesus slept.” From here, the story builds with each spread, adding a new element and explaining the relationships among the participants and witnesses to the first Christmas. From Jesus sleeping sweetly to the wise men bringing gifts, this charming book reminds readers young and not-so-young of the joyous event we celebrate at Christmastime. Children will love the delightful illustrations and the engaging repetition in this cumulative tale.
About the author:
Norma Lewis is the author of ten books. She lives in Grand Haven, MI, with a marmalade cat named Scalawag. They both love spending time with her six grandchildren, ranging in age from three to twenty.
Illustrated by Katy Hudson.